BCCPA 38th Annual Conference
May 24th – 26th, 2015
Whistler, BC
SPIRITUAL CARE IN A NON FAITH BASED CARE HOME
OUTLINE

Non-faith based organization experience
 General
framework for providing spiritual programs
 What we offer
 Outcomes
 Challenges
 Overall message: it is doable with limited resources
INTRODUCING LANGLEY LODGE
Established in 1974
 Langley Care Society
 Volunteer Organization
 Complex Care
 Registered Charity
 139 Spaces
 Separate Public Foundation

RESIDENT RELIGIOUS AFFILIATIONS
All are Christian
 Majority are

 Anglican
 Baptist
 Catholic
 United
 Affiliation
not known; went to church when young;
PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS




We practice holistic, resident-centered care
Open to diverse beliefs/practices
Organization’s values of instilling dignity and hope are
demonstrated through spiritual care component
Advantages as a Non-profit Organization:
 find & engage available resources
 develop and maintain strong connections with our local
community
 raise funds to provide services that support our MVV
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

Accreditation Standards

Long-Term Care 9.14


Long-Term Care 8.1


Access to spiritual space and care is provided to meet residents’
needs.
Care plan addresses psychosocial health including cultural and
spiritual needs
Residents Bill of Rights
Operate …in a manner that will promote the health, safety and
dignity of persons in care;
 Resident’s lifestyle and choices are respected and supported,
 to pursue social, cultural, religious, spiritual and other interests.


https://www.leg.bc.ca/39th1st/3rd_read/gov17-3.htm
RELIGION
SPIRITUALITY

Defined structures

Defined rituals and doctrines
relationships with all

Traditions
creation

Practices, beliefs and values


An awareness of
An appreciation of presence
and purpose

Includes a sense of meaning

Includes religion
WHY SPIRITUAL CARE?

The losses associated with advanced age can
seriously impact the resident’s sense of meaning,
purpose and personal worth.

People often turn to their spirituality as a means of
coping…with illnesses, loss & life transitions
The meaning and practice of spiritual care www.professionalchaplains.org.
SPIRITUAL CARE SERVICES IN OUR HOME
PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL CHURCHES

6 services on-site per month

United Church of Langley

Anglican Worship

Catholic Ministry & Mass

Salvation Army Church

Free Presbyterian Church

Buddhist Tea
MEET OUR PASTOR
“I minister to people from a wide
range of religious
backgrounds, as well as to
some who have no particular
religious background, and so
an ecumenical and
inspirational approach works
best..i.e. God loves you, be
kind to others, (there is) hope
Rev. Tony W. Tremblett M.A,
MPM,(ThD Candidate)
for a future without suffering. ”
Ordained Christian Minister
ROLE OF THE PASTOR


Minimum 8hrs/week
 Visits newly admitted residents
 Conducts weekly Devotions group
 1:1 visits
 Palliative/EOL support
Monthly Celebration of Life
WEEKLY DEVOTIONS GROUP
Affirms the resident’s identity through conversations about their
background, early life, work, family and religious traditions.
Provides ways for people to make sense of new life experience and
themselves through stories...
..reviewing life stories in this way can help to re-affirm one’s
perspective of oneself in the face of debilitating illness and loss.
Based on “Narrative theory focuses on the valuations that a person
identifies as being the key units of meaning in his or her life.”
(Speck 2004)
OUTCOMES OF SPIRITUAL CARE
Approaching death can engender serious spiritual questions that
contribute to anxiety, depression, and hopelessness.
Spiritual care can help residents to:

Focus on inspirational meaning, purpose and value.

Receive compassion, comfort and spiritual/emotional support

Achieve inner peace and explore coping strategies.
Outcome: Resident-centered, holistic care

Our Pastor is:
 A valued member of the interdisciplinary team
 A resource for front-line staff; make referrals
 Accessible to Family members for support
 Addresses the spiritual needs of our residents
 Specialty practitioner in the interdisciplinary team

Local Church Volunteers:
 Embraced in our non-profit, volunteer organization
 Ensure residents can participate
CHALLENGES

Physical space constraints



Licensing/RC&AL program


Multi-purpose room with
reliquary
Larger, open lounge space
preferred by some of the
churches; noise levels are a
challenge.
Not a requirement
Fundraising

To maintain annual
resources
RESOURCES FOR DEVELOPING SPIRITUAL CARE
Pursue partnerships with local churches
 Sponsorship– Annual budget: $12k
 Online Resources

Canadian Association for Spiritual Care
 http://www.spiritualcare.ca/
 Professional association
 Support spiritual care professionals in their practice
 Professional standards
 Qualifications information


Contact Us – dhauptman@langleylodge.org
REFERENCES
Accreditation Canada. Long-term Care standards. www.accreditationcanada.ca
Association of Professional Chaplains
www.professionalchaplains.org
Professional Chaplaincy: Its Role And Importance In Health Care
 http://www.professionalchaplains.org/content.asp?contentid=162
Resident Bill of Rights BC

https://www.leg.bc.ca/39th1st/3rd_read/gov17-3.htm
Speck, Peter W. Spiritual care in healthcare, Scottish Journal of Healthcare Chaplaincy
Vol.7.No.1.2004.
The meaning and practice of spiritual care
 http://goo.gl/ldl0Ws